Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteeDial’s Advanced Communications Server 5.0 was a secure, SIP-based communications platform launched in July 2004. It combined media-server and application-server functions so service providers and large enterprises could offer calling, conferencing, broadcasts, messaging, and presence across telephone and data networks.
What was eDial Advanced Communications Server 5.0?
Advanced Communications Server (ACS) 5.0 was a feature server designed to control, manage, and report on enhanced telephone communications. Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) provided its call-signaling foundation. Network World described ACS as combining a media server and an application server in one platform, with a Linux-based deployment on Intel servers. Its browser access supported Windows, Macintosh, Unix, and Linux environments. Network World’s July 2004 report covered the platform’s architecture and intended use.
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In practical terms, the product was meant to let service providers and large enterprises deploy collaborative communications over existing telephone or data infrastructures, rather than treating voice applications as isolated from the rest of the network.
Which communications features did it support?
Converge Digest’s July 18, 2004 release report described ACS 5.0 as supporting a mix of traditional telephony and network-based collaboration features. Reported capabilities included:
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#1 Best Overall
- Up to 72 analog ports
- Up to 8 E1/T1/J1
- 5 (1 PCI, 4 PCIe)
- Up to 600 extensions (SIP/IAX)
- 1100 Concurrent calls (30% CPU usage)
- Two-party calls, conferences, and broadcasts
- Calls involving public switched telephone network (PSTN) and IP telephones and networks
- Audio and web conferencing
- Instant messaging and presence
The release report said the server could handle over 900 simultaneous calls within a single network and over 10,000 users. Those are figures reported for the 2004 product; the report does not specify test conditions or establish them as a modern performance benchmark. See Converge Digest’s release coverage and its report of the listed capabilities and scale.
How did eDial fit into enterprise network designs?
ACS was positioned as a software platform for deploying collaborative applications across telephone and data infrastructure. Its SIP support, combined media and application services, and Linux-on-Intel server model were intended to bring call handling and features such as conferencing or presence into a shared enterprise or service-provider design.
Rank #2
- Up to 72 analog ports
- Up to 8 E1/T1/J1
- 5 (1 PCI, 4 PCIe)
- Up to 600 extensions (SIP/IAX)
- 1100 Concurrent calls (30% CPU usage)
eDial also offered a separate SIP-based conferencing server that integrated with a customer’s PBX. Employees could use its built-in web server and browser interface to set up audio or web conferences without installing client software, according to a Network World report from the period. The article reported historical prices of $28,000 for 24 ports and $78,000 for 96 ports; these were period prices, not current quotes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened to eDial after the launch?
Alcatel acquired eDial in September 2004 for approximately $27 million, according to CRN’s acquisition report. Alcatel planned to incorporate eDial technology into My Teamwork, part of its OmniTouch Unified Communication suite. At the time, eDial had approximately 30 employees and more than 100 enterprise and service-provider customers, CRN reported in its account of the acquisition.
Rank #3
- Up to 50 extensions
- Up to 32 concurrent calls
- Up tp 4 FXS or FXO Ports (Included)
- Voicemail
- Fax-to-email
The available historical reporting establishes the acquisition and intended product integration, but does not establish that ACS 5.0 remains commercially available or supported today. Organizations considering a current replacement should verify a vendor’s present support, interoperability, security updates, and migration options rather than assume eDial’s 2004 product is still obtainable.
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